REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

A true wild cat

The last Jaguar is hitting our roads with the objective of doubling the brand ’ s local sales. Full of ambition, this new cat on the block will have to face tough, sharp-clawed competitors, like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes Class C.

Jaguar will never be quite the same. A few years ago, Jaguar was tormented by its past and worried of the future. Today, this prestigious brand is definitely looking towards the future, but with respect to its past. But still, not so long ago, there were concerns about the brand ’ s ability to fall back on its feet. With the help of its main shareholder Ford, the British firm made its products more reliable (there was a time when you could tell who owned a Jaguar by the oil stains in the driveway) and tightened its manufacturing process. These efforts were successful, so the accounting department could finally put way the red pencil and the dealerships started dealing with customers for other things than solving problems.

But Jaguar ’ s new-found health can also be attributed to the S-Type. This catchy sedan offered at an attractive price ($60,000 to $70,000) allowed the brand to find a new client base and in the process, double its sales figures (some 85,000 Jaguar will be sold this year, among which 50,000 S-Type).

Jaguar is about to grow once more with the X-Type. This new model will expand the client base in a younger bracket and sales should reach an estimated 100,000 by 2004.No matter the distance, the X-Type looks like a true Jaguar.

How do I describe it? Four words should do it: classic, sensuous, sculptural and athletic. With its toothy grille, its ribbed hood and its tiny round eyes, this new feline reminds of the XJ, the flagship of the family.

By fear of being flamed (once more) by critics, (The S-Type interior was too Ford-ish), stylists took great care not to repeat the same mistake with the X-Type. This new car is clad with jaguar-like attributes. Seats are covered with pure Connolly (official supplier of the brand) leather and the wood trims, like in any other Jaguar, are not imitations.

My first impression: the quality of the bucket seats, and especially those that come with the Sport option ($2,000 more). These comfortable wraparounds, with power adjustment on the driver ’ s side (optional on the passenger ’ s) are long enough to offer adequate thigh support, a detail that Jaguar seemed to have forgotten for a few years. Just under the horizon line, the dashboard with its central console offers a comprehensive array of chrome-circled instruments and gauges, and the main controls are at close range. The audio system could have been placed above the air conditioning to be manipulated while looking at the road.

At the back, the X-Type is surprisingly comfortable for two adults and offers more head room than BMW ’ s 3 Series or even a Lexus IS300. The trunk is also roomy enough for a party of four. I can hear some of you asking: Is this a Jaguarized Ford? The answer is yes and no. As opposed to the S-Type that shares 40% of its parts with the Lincoln LS, the X-Type shares only 20% with the Mondeo (a.k.a. Contour, but the model underwent a major redesign after being withdrawn from the American market). What parts do they share exactly? The windshield, the manual transmission and the fuel pump, not too critical, right?

By the way, those purists offended by Ford ’ s participation in Jaguar should keep in mind that without the financial and technical support of Ford, the Jaguar brand would be found in museums rather than dealerships (or driveways) by now.

Mondeo or not Mondeo, that ’ s not the question! seems to have been the Coventry engineer ’ s motto when designing this X-Type. Differences between the two models are hardly perceptible. They have even designed an integral traction with predominant propulsion (60% of the torque is relayed to the rear wheels) that makes you look forward to icy winter roads.

The X-Type offers two engine options. First, there is a Ford-built 2.5-litre V6 producing 194 hp that has nonetheless been given a specific cylinder head and variable valve opening for more flexibility. The other engine is a similarly modified 3.0-litre Ford Duratec (231 hp). These two engines come with 5-spped automatic or manual transmissions.

Performance-wise, the 3-litre is obviously more nimble. Livelier, more aggressive, this V6 pulls the X-Type rapidly and efficiently out of a stationary position. It may not be as voluptuous as a BMW ’ s straight 6, but it sure beats most of the competition. The 2.5-litre is not bad either, but the car ’ s weight (1,555 kg) may be too much for its capacity. During our test drive, the 2.5-litre ’ s lack of torque forced us to shift frequently (the shifter is very smooth) on hilly roads.

The car could use more heart, but its legs were there. With the integral traction, the X-Type is a natural in tight turns. For additional pleasure, the steering is quick and accurate and unlike recent jaguars we test drove, correctly assisted. The front suspension may be nothing but unsophisticated McPherson struts (multi-lever at the rear), but it sure gets the job done, that is smoothen road imperfections and keep the wheels on the ground. Braking is efficient and powerful on this Jaguar.

So, we can call this first contact a success for this Jaguar that will miss no chance to dig its claws in competitors skin.

PROS
Manual transmission available
All wheel drive
A true Jaguar

CONS
2.5 liter too weak
Low fuel mileage